Sandwich type adjustable sensing nozzle



Sept. 12, 1967 p. w. JACOBSEN SANDWICH TYPE ADJUSTABLE SENSING NOZZLE File d Nov. 24. 1964 EDGE CORRECTION SYSTEM INVENTOR.

PLANT A\R SUPPLY PM. 1% Jixcossz/v MW, W, $44) I ATTORNEYS liY United States Patent 3,340,886 SANDWICH TYPE ADJUSTABLE SENSING NOZZLE Paul W. Jacobsen, Kiel, Wis., assignor to H. G. Weber and Company, Inc., Kiel, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsln Filed Nov. 24, 1964, Ser. No. 413,428 6 Claims. (Cl. 137- -83) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A sensing nozzle constructed of a plurality of sandwichlike insert shims having notches or cutout portions therein to provide fluid flow passages through the nozzle. The sensing nozzle is provided with means to receive a portion of a moving web and to produce a signal indicative of lateral movement of the edge of the moving web from a neutral range of edge positions. The signal from the sensing nozzle may be applied to a web-edge alignment control system which will provide the necessary corrective action to return the edge of the moving web to the neutral or desired position.

This invention relates generally to a fluid operated sensing nozzle and more particularly to a fluid operated sensing nozzle which is provided with interchangeable means for selectively changing the fluid jet characteristic from the nozzle to any desired predetermined characteristics.

The sensing nozzle of the present invention has particular utility when used to sense the relative position of the edge of a moving web. The sensing nozzle is provided with means to receive a portion of the moving web and to produce a signal indicative of lateral movement of the edge of the moving web from a neutral range of edge positions. The signal from the sensing nozzle is applied to a web-edge alignment control system which will provide the necessary corrective action to return the edge of the moving web to the neutral range of edge positions.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved fluid operated sensing nozzle which can be used in an edge alignment control system to produce a signal indicative of the lateral movement of the edge of a moving web from a neutral range of edge positions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fluid operated sensing nozzle which has a minimum number of parts and which parts can be assembled and/ or disassembled in a minimum of time.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fluid operated sensing nozzle wherein the fluid jet characteristics can be readily changed to accommodate either difierent types of moving webs or different types of edge alignment control systems.

These andother features, advantages and additional objects of the present invention will become manifest to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon making reference to the detailed description which follows and the accompanying sheet of drawings. The preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in the following drawing shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view of a body member used in the construction of the sensing nozzle of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a side elevational view of a cap member used in the construction of the sensing nozzle of FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a side elevational view of a spacer which may be used in the sensing nozzle shown in FIGURE 1 to produce a fluid jet of a predetermined characteristic;

FIGURE 5A is a side elevational view of an auxiliary spacer which may be used with the spacer shown in FIG- URE 5 in the sensing nozzle shown in FIGURE 1 to produce a fluid jet of a predetermined but dilferent characteristic;

FIGURE 6 is a side elevational view of a spacer which may be used in the sensing nozzle shown in FIGURE 1 to produce a fluid jet of another predetermined characteristic;

FIGURE 7 is a side elevational view of a further spacer configuration which may be used in the sensing nozzle shown in FIGURE 1 to produce a fluid jet of still another predetermined characteristic; and

FIGURE 8 is a diagrammatic illustration of an edge alignment control system which'can be used in conjunction with the sensing nozzle of FIGURE 1.

As shown on the drawings:

Shown in FIGURE 1 is a fluid operated sensing nozzle which is designated generally by the reference numeral 10. The nozzle 10 is preferably U-shaped having elongated legs 12 and 13 extending toward an open end 14. Provided in the sensing nozzle 10 is .a slot 16 extending from the open end 14 to a bight portion 17. The slot 16 is provided for receiving an edge portion of a moving web as indicated by reference numeral 20. An' arcuate segment 21 is provided on the leg 12 at the opening 14, while an arcuate segment 22 is provided on the leg 13 at the opening 14, thereby eliminating sharp edges and corners which might otherwise damage the moving web.

As the web 20 passes through the slot 16 of nozzle 10, the web may come in contact with a portion of either of the legs 12 or 13 to completely obstruct fluid orifices formed therein. Therefore, a recessed portion 23 is provided in the slot 16 so that the web 20 cannot come in contact with a central portion of the legs 12 and 13, which central portion is provided with fluid orifices. A fluid passage 27 is provided in the leg 12 for receiving operating fluid from an opening 28. A fluid passage 29 is provided in the leg 13 for receiving operating fluid froman opening 30. The pressures of the operating fluid applied to the openings 28 or 30 are preferably different as will hereinafter be explained. Connected to the fluid passages 27 and 29 are fluid chambers 32 and 33 respectively. An orifice 34 is provided in the leg 12 to provide a fluid jet from the chamber 32 which is directed into the slot 16. An orifice 35 is provided in the leg 13 to provide a fluid jet from the chamber 33 which is directed toward the fluid jet from orifice 34. As shown in FIGURE 1, the orifices 34 and 35 are substantially in line with each other.

' The nozzle 10 is provided with a mounting bracket 38 which is secured thereto by a mounting stud 39 which preferably has flat sides thereon for purposes of fitting a wrench.

Shown in FIGURE 2 is a bottom plan view of the sensing nozzle 10. The nozzle 10 is provided with a body member 40 which has the fluid passages 27 and 29 formed therein. The nozzle 10 is also provided with a cap member 41 which has the chambers 32 and 33 formed therein. The cap member 41 is secured to the body member ,40 by means of cap screws 43 and 44 and by stud 39 as shown in FIGURE 1. The body member 40 and the cap member 41 are constructed and arranged so that the respective fluid passages 27 and 29 and the respective chambers 32 and 33 are aligned to provide respective fluid chambers from which fluid jets are emitted.

According to an important feature of the present invention, a spacer 47 having a predetermined configuration is placed between the body 40 and cap 41. The spacer 47 can be provided with one or more flutes in the leg portions thereof which flutes are extended inwardly toward the slot 16 of FIGURE 1. By changing the dimension of the flute or flutes in the spacer 47, or by changing the width of the spacer 47 the fluid jet characteristic can be changed. Therefore, any one of a number of fluid jet characteristics can be had by merely removing the cap screws 43 and 44 and the stud 39 to separate the body member 40 and the cap member 41 and remove the existing spacer therebetween, and replace it with a spacer having a different configuration. The body 40 and cap 41 are then assembled and held together with cap screws 43 and 44 and stud 39.

Shown in FIGURE 3 is a detailed view of the body member 40, which is preferably of cast aluminum and has elongated cavities 49 and 50. When thespacer 47 is in place, the elongated cavities 49 and 50 form the fluid passages 27 and 29. The openings 28 and 30 are preferably provided with pipe threads 52 and 53 respectively for easy connection to a fluid supply system. A cast ledge 55 is formed in the body 40 to provide one side of the recess 23 as shown in FIGURE 1. The body 40 is provided with holes 57 and 58 for receiving fasteners 43 and 44, and the body 40 is further provided with a hole 59 for receiving the stud 39.

Shown in FIGURE 4 is a detailed view of the cap member 41, which is preferably of cast aluminum, and has elongated cavities 60 and 61. As mentioned hereinabove, the cavities 60 and 61 are substantially in a line with portions of the cavities 50 and 49, respectively, to provide a fluid chamber in each of the legs 12 and 13. A cast ledge 62 is provided in the member 41 to form a part of the recess 23 shown in FIGURE 1. Holes 63 and 64 are provided to receive fasteners 43 and 44, while hole 65 is provided to receive stud 39.

Shown in FIGURE is one preferred configuration of spacer 47 wherein the spacer has a pair of opposed flutes 68 and 69. The flutes 68 and 69 are provided in the spacer 47 so that fluid jet from chambers 32 and 33, of FIGURE 1, are directed toward each other.

Shown in FIGURE 5A is an auxiliary spacer 47a which can be used in conjunction with spacer 47 to provide a substantially different fluid jet characteristic. The auxiliary spacer 47a is provided with the flute 70 which is substantially in line with the flute 68 shown in FIGURE 5. By placing the two spacers 47 and 47a side by each between the body 40 and cap 41, the width of the orifice 34 of FIGURE 1 is increased. The auxiliary spacer 47a is provided with an opening 72 which allows fluid under pressure to communicate between the fluid passage 29 and fluid chamber 33 but does not increase the width of the orifice 35.

Shown in FIGURE 6 is a spacer 47b having another preferred configuration. A pair of flutes 74 and 75 are provided in the leg portion and extending inward toward the slot 16. The flutes 74 and 75 are substantially narrower than the slots 68 and 69 shown in FIGURE 5.

Shown in FIGURE 7 is still another preferred configuration of the spacer. The spacer 47c is provided with a pair of flutes 76 and 77 in one leg portion thereof, and with a pair of flutes 78 and 79 in the other leg portion thereof. The flutes 76 and 78 are substantially in line one with the other, while the flutes 77 and 79 are substantially in line one with the other to provide still another fluid jet characteristic.

Although only several configurations of the spacer have been shown they are not to be construed in a limiting sense. Also, an auxiliary spacer similar to that shown in FIGURE 5A can be used in combination with any of the spacers shown. Further, it will be understood that any combination of spacers, such as those shown in FIGURES 5, 6 and 7, can be used to provide the desired fluid jet characteristic from the nozzle 10. The spacer can be of gasket material to provide the necessary sealing required between the body 40 and cap 41. However, the spacer can be provided with a gasketing compound on each surface thereof to effect the fluid seal between the body 40 and the cap 41.

Shown in FIGURE 8 is an edge alignment control system which can be similar to the edge alignment control system shown in my copending application Ser. No. 372,650, filed June 4, 1964, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The sensing nozzle 10 may be connected to a plant air supply 80 through a fluid pressure regulator 82. A metering orifice 84 is provided in a line 81 to cause a predetermined fluid pressure to be applied to the leg 12 of sensing nozzle 10. Connected to the leg 12 of sensing nozzle 10 is a fluid line 86 which may receive fluid under pressure from the plant air supply 80 through the pressure regulator 82 and a pressure regulator 87. A metering orifice 88 is provided in the line 86 to supply a predetermined pressure of the fluid to the sensing head. By way of example and not by way of limitation, the fluid pressure applied to the nozzle from the metering orifice 84 is substantially greater than the fluid pressure applied to the nozzle from metering orifice 88.

Connected to line 86 are diaphragm actuators 91 and 92 for actuating electrical switches 93 and 94 respectively. Switches 93 and 94 are electrically connected in circuit with an edge correction system 95 which, in turn, will supply the necessary corrective action to a web alignment roll stand, not shown, thereby correcting the lateral position of the edge of the moving web.

The diaphragm actuators 91 and 92 are actuated in one direction by the static fluid pressure applied through the diaphragm chambers 91a and 92a, respectively. An opposing force within the chambers 91b and 92b is applied to the actuators 91c and 92c, respectively.

The jet from orifice 34 which is indicated at 89 when completely unobstructed produces a relatively high static pressure in line 86 which is sensed by actuator 91. When the jet 89 is completely obstructed by the edge of web 20, a relatively low static pressure is present in line 86 which is sensed by actuator 92.

Summary of operation Referring to FIGURES 1 and 8, the fluid operated sensing nozzle 10 is used for sensing the edge of a moving web 20 which passes through the slot 16. Legs 12 and 13 of the nozzle are connected to a source of fluid under pressure. Fluid in lines 81 and 86 is propagated through channels 27 and 29 and emitted from orifices 34 and 35, respectively. The fluid pressure supplied to channel 27 is preferably greater than the fluid pressure supplied to channel 29. The fluid jets which are created at the orifices 34 and 35 are partially impeded by the presence of a portion of moving web 20. The fluid jets from the orifices 34 and 35 flow in such a manner as to cause a static fluid pressure of a predetermined value in chamber 33 when the edge of the moving Web is in the proper position within the fluid jets. A signal is generated when the fluid pressure in chamber 33 is substantially above or below the predetermined pressure and this signal is indicative of an error in the lateral position of the edge of the moving web 20. The static fluid pressure in chamber 33 will tend to increase as the moving web 20 begins to shift laterally out of obstructing relation to jet 89, FIGURE 8, from orifice 34 of the nozzle 10. That is, as the impedance to the flow of fluid jet 89 against orifice 35 begins to decrease by the web 20 shifting out of contact with the fluid jet, the fluid jet from orifice 34 will have a greater retardation force on the fluid jet emitted from orifice 35, thereby causing an increase in static pressure within the chamber 33. On the other hand, the static pressure in chamber 33 will tend to decrease as the moving Web '20 beginsto shift laterally toward full obstruction of jet 89. That is, as the impedance to the flow of the fluid jet from orifice 34 to orifice 35 increases by the web 20 shifting toward full contact with the fluid jet 89, the fluid jet from orifice 34 will have a lesser retardation force on the fluid jet emitted from orifice 35, thereby causing a decrease of static pressure within the chamber 33.

As the web 20 passes through the slot '16 in a laterally neutral position, the predetermined static pressure in the chamber 33 is applied to diaphragm chambers 91a and 92a of the diaphragm actuators 91 and 92 through line 86. In this case the force applied to the diaphragm actuator 91 by the static pressure in the diaphragm chamber 91a is less than the force applied to the diaphragm actuator 91 by spring 916. Therefore, the resultant force will urge the diaphragm actuator upward to maintain the switch 93 in the open position as is shown in FIGURE 8. However, the force applied to the diaphragm actuator 92 by static pressure in the diaphragm chamber 92a is greater than the force applied to the diaphragm actuator 92 by spring 920. Therefore, the resultant force will urge the diaphragm actuator 92 downward to maintain the switch 94 in the open position as shown in FIGURE 8. It can be seen, therefore, that as the moving web 20 passes within the slot 16 in a laterally neutral position, both switches 93 and 94 are maintained open so that no correction signal is supplied to the edge correction system 95.

Should the moving web 20 begin to move laterally out of engagement with the nozzle 10, an increase of static pressure in chamber 33 will result. The increased static pressure is applied to the diaphragm actuating chamber 91a to cause the switch 93 to be closed. The edge correction system 95 will then apply the necessary corrective signal to a suitable web alignment roll stand or the like to tend to shift the moving web 20 back to the neutral position within the sensing nozzle 10. Should the moving web 20 move laterally inward toward full engagement with the sensing nozzle 10, a decrease of static pressure in the chamber 33 will result. The decreased static pressure is then applied to diaphragm chamber 92a to cause the switch 94 to close by virtue of the greater force of spring 92c. Again, the edge correction system 95 will provide the necessary corrective signal to a suitable web alignment roll stand or the like to tend to shift the edge of the web 20 back to the neutral position within the sensing nozzle \10.

The fluid jet characteristic of the sensing nozzle can be readily changed to suit either the type of moving web to be sensed, or to suit the type of edge alignment control system to be used in conjunction with the nozzle 10. This can be accomplished by merely removing the cap screws 33 and 34 and by removing the stud 39. The cap member 41 is then removed from the body member 40 and the spacer 47 therebetween is removed. Another spacer such as 47a, 47b or 470 having a different configuration can be substituted or a spacer such as 47 and an auxiliary spacer such as 47a can be placed between the body member 40 and cap member 41 and secured in place by cap screws 33 and 34 and stud 39.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concept-s of the present invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. A web-edge sensing nozzle comprising:

a U-shaped body member having elongated legs extending toward the open end thereof, a bight portion formed between said legs at the closed end of said body member,

a cavity formed in each of said legs,

said cavities communicating with the outer surface of said U-shaped body member through threaded passages,

a U-shaped member having elongated legs extending toward the open end thereof and further having substantially the same size as said body member for covering said cavities in said legs of said body member,

spacer means corresponding in shape to said body member and said cap member and placed between said body member and said cap member,

at least one flute in said spacer means in one of the elongated leg portions thereof and directed inward toward the space between said elongated legs, and

a corresponding number of flutes in said spacer means in the other elongated leg portion thereof directed inward and toward the space between said elongated legs,

said flutes in one elongated leg of said spacer means being opposite said flutes in the other elongated leg of said spacer means.

2. An edge alignment sensing nozzle comprising:

a U-shaped body member having elongated legs extending toward the open end thereof and having a bight portion formed between said legs at the closed end thereof,

first and second cavities each formed in respective legs of said body member and said first and second cavities opening at one side of said U-shaped body member,

means for applying fluid under pressure to said cavities,

a U-shaped cap member having elongated legs extending toward the open end thereof and having a bight portion formed between the said legs at the closed end thereof and secured to said body member,

third and fourth cavities each formed in respective legs of said cap member and third and fourth cavities gpening through one side of said U-sha-ped cap memer,

said openings of said first and second cavities and said openings of said third and fourth cavities respectively facing one another to form a fluid chamber in each leg,

selectively changeable orifice means placed between said body member and said cap member to provide orifices for emitting interacting fluid jet streams between said fluid chambers, and

means in each of said legs of said body member and the said cap member for preventing the moving web from coming in direct contact with said orifices.

3. An edge alignment sensing nozzle according to claim 2 wherein said means in each of said legs of the body member comprises a recessed portion in each leg and facing the web extending along the leg for the operable sensing portion thereof.

4. An edge alignment sensing nozzle comprising:

a body member having a horizontal opening therein opening toward a traveling web for receiving the edge portion of the web,

cavities in said body member extending along said body on opposite sides of said opening for conducting fluid under pressure to said opening,

interchangeable orifice means having fluid communication with said cavities in said body member to effect the ejection of jet streams into said opening of said body member of predetermined characteristics, and

cap means extending along said body member and hav- -1ng cavities therein in communication with said orifice means and secured to said body member to maintain said interchangeable orifice means in position.

5. An edge alignment sensing nozzle comprising:

a body member having parallel spaced legs adapted for the passage of the edge portion of a web in the space therebetween,

fluid pressure cavities in each of said legs,

cap means secured to said body and extending along said legs and having cavities therein in fluid communication with said respective cavities in said legs,

said cavities in said legs and said cap means 'being joined together to form fluid pressure chambers on opposite sides of the space between said legs,

orifice means between said body and said cap means providing Opposed fluid pressure jet streams leading from said chambers to opposite sides of a web, and

sensing the position of the web moving along the region between said fluid jet streams.

6. The structure of claim 5 wherein means are provided in each leg of said body member, and extend therealong and face the web, to prevent the moving Web from coming into direct contact with said orifices.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,039,483 6/1962 Deering. 3,057f376 10/1962 Agutter 251-667 X 3,225,779 12/1965 Gootzook 13781.5

ALAN COHAN, Primary Examiner. 

1. A WEB-EDGE SENSING NOZZLE COMPRISING: A U-SHAPED BODY MEMBER HAVING ELONGATED LEGS EXTENDING TOWARD THE OPEN END THEREOF, A BIGHT PORTION FORMED BETWEEN SAID LEGS AT THE CLOSED END OF SAID BODY MEMBER, A CAVITY FORMED IN EACH OF SAID LEGS, SAID CAVITIES COMMUNICATING WITH THE OUTER SURFACE OF SAID U-SHAPED BODY MEMBER THROUGH THREADED PASSAGES, A U-SHAPED MEMBER HAVING ELONGATED LEGS EXTENDING TOWARD THE OPEN END THEREOF AND FURTHER HAVING SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME SIZE AS SAID BODY MEMBER FOR COVERING SAID CAVITIES IN SAID LEGS OF SAID BODY MEMBER, SPACER MEANS CORRESPONDING IN SHAPE TO SAID BODY MEMBER AND SAID CAP MEMBER AND PLACED BETWEEN SAID BODY MEMBER AND SAID CAP MEMBER, AT LEAST ONE FLUTE IN SAID SPACER MEANS IN ONE OF THE ELONGATED LEG PORTIONS THEREOF AND DIRECTED INWARD TOWARD THE SPACE BETWEEN SAID ELONGATED LEGS, AND A CORRESPONDING NUMBER OF FLUTES IN SAID SPACER MEANS IN THE OTHER ELONGATED LEG PORTION THEREOF DIRECTED INWARD AND TOWARD THE SPACE BETWEEN SAID ELONGATED LEGS, SAID FLUTES IN ONE ELONGATED LEG OF SAID SPACER MEANS BEING OPPOSITE SAID FLUTES IN THE OTHER ELONGATED LEG OF SAID SPACER MEANS. 